right hand beta, trouble with then middle finger
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
right hand beta, trouble with then middle finger
Hello all.
I have taken on the Jeff Newman course, Right Hand Alpha. I have made strides with the palm blocking using my thumb and index. However Jeff focuses on the thumb and middle finger which is so unnatural. As a life time pick blocker returning to the instrument after thirty years hiatus, I want to get it right but have read other posts which stress individual style. My middle finger just wants to get caught on the strings, even though I believe I have adjusted the finger pick optimally. If I want to pick slow then that would be the end of it. But I was a reasonably fast picker with pick blocking.
Since Buddy and Doug are my favs, I want to incorporate that. But has anybody overcome the middle finger challenge, or found away around while still picking with speed, cleanliness(?) and precision?
Thanks,
John from Oregon
I have taken on the Jeff Newman course, Right Hand Alpha. I have made strides with the palm blocking using my thumb and index. However Jeff focuses on the thumb and middle finger which is so unnatural. As a life time pick blocker returning to the instrument after thirty years hiatus, I want to get it right but have read other posts which stress individual style. My middle finger just wants to get caught on the strings, even though I believe I have adjusted the finger pick optimally. If I want to pick slow then that would be the end of it. But I was a reasonably fast picker with pick blocking.
Since Buddy and Doug are my favs, I want to incorporate that. But has anybody overcome the middle finger challenge, or found away around while still picking with speed, cleanliness(?) and precision?
Thanks,
John from Oregon
I have not been a fast picker in a past life, but like John I have also tackled Right Hand Alpha and I did find the thumb and second thing a bit odd. But I've stuck with it and also started to realise how many great players make it their primary grip. I find that my index finger lingers above and beyond the second so that it could actually pick the string above; it doesn't get in the way. Tonally, there is a bigger contrast between the two strings than there would be with an adjacent grip; the higher string is brighter and carries the melody clearly. Oddly, Jeff Newman mentions somewhere that 1 & 2 together is tough to synchronise and requires practice! But then I guess he never played the trumpet.
But as I say, I'm not missing the ability to fly with T&1 as I never had it!
But as I say, I'm not missing the ability to fly with T&1 as I never had it!
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs
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- Jeff Harbour
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I posted my similar problems with my middle finger a while back, which started for me when I switched fingerpicks. It's taken me a very long time, but slowly I've readjusted my small motor skills and have regained a bit of my middle finger dexterity (which was never very great to begin with) to where it's a bit more reliable. But I certainly feel your pain!
I'm the last person to give any advice, as a poor novice player, but my belief is that perseverance and mindful practise will help quite a bit. Best of luck!
I'm the last person to give any advice, as a poor novice player, but my belief is that perseverance and mindful practise will help quite a bit. Best of luck!
- John McClung
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In my teaching of dozens of students I've encountered all sorts of styles and issues related to picking fingers.
Some of it comes down to anatomy, which varies quite a bit from player to player, and may preclude using the index or middle for some players.
For me, my middle finger seems to pick with more force, thus better tone, than index, so I tend to use that combo the most (and also because Newman and Buddy both used it to great effect).
But more and more practice using the index has increased its strength, tone and accuracy, so I'm working that finger back into the mix.
I do feel that to play today's modern style of pick blocking, it's essential to have all 3 fingers involved, so I encourage students to use everything they can. Why throw away a finger?
I agree with pal Jim Palenscar, find what works for you, go with that, and don't worry!
I'm a complete hybrid pick and palm blocker these days, and rely on both to play what I want in a clean, efficient and modern-sounding method. I recommend that to students, it's not either/or in my view.
Some of it comes down to anatomy, which varies quite a bit from player to player, and may preclude using the index or middle for some players.
For me, my middle finger seems to pick with more force, thus better tone, than index, so I tend to use that combo the most (and also because Newman and Buddy both used it to great effect).
But more and more practice using the index has increased its strength, tone and accuracy, so I'm working that finger back into the mix.
I do feel that to play today's modern style of pick blocking, it's essential to have all 3 fingers involved, so I encourage students to use everything they can. Why throw away a finger?
I agree with pal Jim Palenscar, find what works for you, go with that, and don't worry!
I'm a complete hybrid pick and palm blocker these days, and rely on both to play what I want in a clean, efficient and modern-sounding method. I recommend that to students, it's not either/or in my view.
E9 INSTRUCTION
If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net
If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net
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- Ben Edmonds
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I pick blocked for the first six or so years I played because it just felt right for me at first and Palm blocking felt very awkward but I never liked the tone I got plus the style I prefer is mostly all palm blocked.
Strangely, after not even seeing a steel for four years, when I picked it back up I just started Palm blocking using mostly thumb and middle. I couldn't be more pleased with the results because I get a much better tone and a nice bouncy feel. Where I used to wonder why on earth anyone would use mostly thumb and middle, now I can't imagine not using mostly those fingers. Just sounds fuller and powerful.
I guess that doesn't address the question but it's my experience and I found it strange.
To me it's what produces the tone and feel I prefer that counts. Weird that after a four year hiatus, I came back so much stronger than before
Strangely, after not even seeing a steel for four years, when I picked it back up I just started Palm blocking using mostly thumb and middle. I couldn't be more pleased with the results because I get a much better tone and a nice bouncy feel. Where I used to wonder why on earth anyone would use mostly thumb and middle, now I can't imagine not using mostly those fingers. Just sounds fuller and powerful.
I guess that doesn't address the question but it's my experience and I found it strange.
To me it's what produces the tone and feel I prefer that counts. Weird that after a four year hiatus, I came back so much stronger than before
- chris ivey
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- Philip Mitrakos
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I've been finger picking my whole life ..
Travis style on the flat top and scruggs style on the banjo ..so when I came to the steel guitar I never gave it a thought ..finger picking just came natural to me after a life time of picking .
I've cut down and reshaped thumb picks to look like left handed thumb picks..and yep ...there is such a thing as left handed thumb picks..filing em down brought the tip closer to the joint and farther from the tip of the thumb..I go back and forth on that one these days..and I think alot of players may be using way too heavy of a finger pick ...I've gone down as far as .015 and settled in at .018..anything heavier just seems too hard and stiff to me ..loosing touch with the string...just my 4 cents
Travis style on the flat top and scruggs style on the banjo ..so when I came to the steel guitar I never gave it a thought ..finger picking just came natural to me after a life time of picking .
I've cut down and reshaped thumb picks to look like left handed thumb picks..and yep ...there is such a thing as left handed thumb picks..filing em down brought the tip closer to the joint and farther from the tip of the thumb..I go back and forth on that one these days..and I think alot of players may be using way too heavy of a finger pick ...I've gone down as far as .015 and settled in at .018..anything heavier just seems too hard and stiff to me ..loosing touch with the string...just my 4 cents